The continuing conflicts in the Middle East has placed strain on manufacturing facilities used to produce air launched munitions. Weapons such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) have proved popular because of their accuracy and lethality.
Both weapons feature conventional munitions that are enhanced through the addition of wing and guidance kits, these being manufactured by Boeing at its St Charles facility near St Louis, Missouri.
Developed in 1997 through the US Air Force urgent operational need process, JDAM continues to be the weapon of choice for both the US